No. 16 Georgetown (20-6, 8-4 Big East) fell to No. 25 St. John’s (17-7, 6-5 Big East), 75-71, in overtime at Carnesecca Arena in Queens, N.Y., Sunday afternoon.
The Hoyas, who were in the midst of a six-game win streak entering Sunday’s contest, lost for the first time since Jan. 18 when they dropped an 80-58 decision to Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.
The Blue and Gray fell behind early against St. John’s, trailing the entire first half and by as many as 11 points before rallying to cut the deficit to six points at halftime.
The Red Storm pushed back at the beginning of the second half, opening the stanza with a 6-2 run that made the score 41-31 with16:45 remaining in regulation.
An 11-3 run over the next five minutes got Georgetown back within two points, and the two sides exchanged buckets before the Hoyas levelled the score for the first time at 50 apiece with 6:24 left on a jumper in the paint by sophomore guard Sugar Rodgers.
The hosts immediately went on a 7-0 run over the next minute and a half before the Blue and Gray answered with a 9-2 run of their own to tie the game at 59 with 2:15 remaining.
Then junior forward Tia Magee made a free throw to give the Hoyas their first lead of the game, which Rodgers extended to three on the next possession with another jumper.
A three by St. John’s sophomore guard Amanda Burakoski on the Red Storm’s next possession, however, knotted the game at 62 with 40 seconds to play. Each team had a chance to take the lead in the final seconds but neither side was able to convert.
In overtime the Hoyas and Red Storm exchanged buckets for the first several minutes and the game was tied at 68 with 1:57 left.
Unfortunately for the Blue and Gray, St. John’s scored five consecutive points and built a lead that proved to be insurmountable with 25 seconds remaining. A foul on a three-point attempt allowed Rodgers to cut the deficit to two, and the Hoyas were given another chance after a missed free throw by Red Storm sophomore guard Nadirah McKenith, but a missed three by senior guard Monica McNutt sealed the victory for the Johnnies.
It was the third overtime loss of the year for the Hoyas in as many overtime games. Georgetown dropped overtime decisions to Miami and Marquette earlier in the season.
Rodgers led all scorers on Sunday with 23 points on 8-of-22 shooting, while Magee added 16 of her own on a 6-of-7 performance from the field.
The Hoyas struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 5-of-20 from three-point range against St. John’s. Only one member of the Red Storm made any threes, but Burakoski made five of her 10 tries from deep and her teammates only took — and missed — one other three-pointer.
McKenith added 13 points for St. John’s to go along with eight rebounds and nine assists, while junior forward Da’Shena Stevens added 12 points, 10 rebounds and three steals.
Overall, St. John’s outrebounded Georgetown, 40-34, and four Red Storm players scored in double digits compared to only two Hoyas.
The Blue and Gray will look to rebound in a tough road match next Sunday against No. 10 DePaul. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at McGrath Arena.
